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Special Report Online: 11/2

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    Cain campaign violating crisis management 101?

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Welcome to another edition of special report on line I'm Bret -- if you haven't been here before welcome aboard this is a place -- in Iraq with the panel asked questions.

Make comments and vote in an online poll that's for many polls going on.

Right now Ken Herman Cain get past this story 51% say yes do you think the Rick Perry campaign -- of these allegations.

It just changed only 53%.

Say no.

And have you decided who you're supporting in 201258%.

Say no 42% say yes.

Green eyed lady wrote in and said thunder -- is a big deal.

From that kicker it.

Thank you very much we thought it was very funny here -- back of the panel Fred Mara and Charles.

Charles and -- start with you because of the Gingrich folks are typing away.

That you were going to attack him on center -- to.

Yes well look let me say.

I'm not sure if that camera wedge on me -- -- but there was a broad.

Green at least in my head when.

-- -- We've come to a sad poignant journalism when you have to -- -- your own irony.

But consider meditated I would say that we're gonna.

You know we're gonna take care -- Romney and Perry and whoever else ends up in Tennessee although I have to say that I think it was an experiment actually just.

Turned out rather well -- this is our for our first experience -- having.

Candidates any kind of inquisition three Persian position it has gone well it's worked well and I think they spend the one opportunity candidates have -- To get question with a lot of return questions follow ups and yet I have some leisure.

To elaborate especially with the ones who went -- to the online shareware they had a lot of time yup and by the way Herman Cain.

Could not stay for the online surely believe so we did three segments with him on the on the -- Rick from Cincinnati Fred writes if you were running McCain campaign what would you do next.

Well one I'd let -- -- handle all these accusations in so long.

Two I have came out continue giving is -- agencies I mean look this is what's gotten him where he is.

This is why he's good beginning -- of his speeches and all these debates all the eight debates and now.

So many coming up.

Stick -- -- take the high road he needs to take the high road there's some.

Squabbling to do about tactics.

-- -- leads to rapid and that's what campaigns of the best campaigns are run.

Then he -- -- and the oldest victim that.

But -- -- need to know what went on well fact that that -- says that in 2003 he briefed one of his consultants about this which is what you do you talk about every single thing that could come up in opposition research the aides have to be.

Armed with that information which they don't seem to have been or else you're at least they've gotten a piecemeal.

All right so let's let's -- this -- -- the campaign McCain campaign is now saying that in 2003 when McCain was running for senate in Georgia.

Came briefs then consultant Kurt Andersen about these allegations.

Basically you have anything in your closet just like -- -- -- get out.

He says this stuff about the National Restaurant Association the -- campaign now ties that.

Two.

Kurt -- signing on to -- campaign October 24.

And he is now an advisor with that campaign.

Then the stories come out another person working with the king campaign I'm with the Perry campaign Chris Wilson.

A pollster out in Oklahoma he works for the super pac.

That supports the Texas governor's -- Is now on the record saying when he was -- the National Restaurant Association he witnessed some kind of awkward displays he he describes it at a restaurant.

It was only a matter of time so many people or where.

The woman left that.

That National Restaurant Association and he says it was very uncomfortable.

And thinks it was a problem for you can say what we're actually have a lot of looked at Herman Cain didn't release -- Yeah that's right and and -- as I said did urban came last night it's -- question of process than substance so far so far.

Remember any initial political report.

It was said that one of the charges -- one of the people who got the settlement.

Whereas there Herman Cain had made a non sexual gesture of some sort commander -- comfortable.

Well how does a non sexual gestures become sexual harassment it seems almost -- definitional there's a problem here.

I mean it's a fine line we have no idea what actually happened so we're all talking.

Sort of in the abstract.

Unless there's hard evidence from this.

And at least in the cases of the two people who brought.

A charge and had a settlement there was some procedure in the public what is not in public at least.

Discussions among other people about what it happened.

What we're getting now -- secondhand accounts of uncomfortable behavior -- whatever.

To which I would say is that anybody.

Of any age who doesn't have an episode in their lives at a bar restaurant a party.

Who may not have caused an uncomfortable moment I'm not sure.

But it's a hell of a standard.

To which we -- an -- candidate and it will sure make it.

The case that very few people are gonna wanna put a foot in the political arena.

Mark you know a lot of people type in and they they say it's the media's fault for covering all this.

From from our perspective we're trying to cover responsibly.

-- campaign continues to talk about this extensively they put mark block out there to charge the Kerry campaign today.

There are are these other.

Developments.

That happen that you know you feel you have to cover but it is based so far on anonymous allegations that we don't -- -- and I -- on the specifics about.

And I at first thought when I read the Politico story if these women don't come forward or somebody doesn't come forward to say exactly what it is the story is gonna end.

But I think McCain campaign has violated crisis management 101 which is where you get all the facts about this you put them out.

With -- by an -- and then you stop talking about it you've you've completely done a document dump.

-- -- -- -- -- And that's that's but the K John McCain being the New York as John McCain than your -- it didn't didn't care I think -- And then there in the house speaker has done this and I think that -- of an all candidates is.

More uniquely suited to have stopped it with that kind of that tactic in other words.

People are willing to -- -- like people really like him in Iowa from the reports we're getting people really don't care about this his numbers haven't gone down so I think.

The thing that has happened is that all the oxygen has been sucked out of the room for -- message and for that matter everybody else's message except for Mitt Romney who has Charles said earlier.

Just have to be having a Cheshire cat grin on battle that.

Let's see you both say that but -- you look at that poll quinnipiac get all of the polls he's right at 2324%.

And does not know.

So yeah.

He's not fair to assume by all this polling that seventy plus percent of the GOP electorate is not sold on Mitt Romney.

I think that's absolutely accurate of course I mean they've had plenty of time to do -- -- poll practically every day.

By somebody.

My very good pollsters and he stuck -- 23%.

And the problem is basically the blood got the biggest problem he has is that there are so many conservatives don't -- The but he has actually has a bigger problem potentially.

We still don't know whether his very strong performances in the debate's not equal votes when you got to Iowa New Hampshire Nevada and South Carolina and Florida.

We don't know.

We saw -- man.

-- not 2007.

When he was running in 2008.

And he didn't have a great connection with voters that was a guy that was true -- his problem -- if it may be different this time but I haven't seen any evidence on the.

But can I just differ with that.

If he was running in a vacuum and he had to achieve some number to get the nomination that those -- might be problems but somebody have to be him.

In other words -- -- 3%.

Not connecting with the voters might be fine if there's no challenger Mitt Romney and cool is the challenger Mitt Romney who has the organization to get people to the polls.

Who has that kind of the whole package nobody.

I mean Cain allowed only one -- as a -- Governor Perry has the -- sources yes Perry as a resource is but so far he hasn't been able to leverage that -- -- in the next.

You know ten weeks or so new but you have to -- -- well debate doesn't really -- there's -- doesn't have the resources the only person with the potential.

To challenge Romney is Perry and he hasn't been able to.

So so.

I think that -- with all his flaws and weaknesses might be marching to the nomination relatively unimpeded it's.

Say wait until some people vote.

-- of the polls that don't mean that much let people vote I mean look at the great surprise to so many people I don't think -- -- -- that the two of us.

Well well John Kerry winning in Iowa got and and others that we thought we're gonna do better particularly Howard Dean.

-- complete.

What -- Jack from Fort Lauderdale says polls don't reflect the last 72 hours please exclamation point we're -- that quinnipiac poll actually goes up to October 31.

You're right over the last two days a lot has changed a lot has developed and we'll see what the next polls.

Show and and Charles we do rely heavily on polls to get a flash of that moment.

But maybe maybe more so how I want to be just mentioned this thing.

That is just really.

This is an exchange.

That we had with the Kerry campaign a producer did just.

Moments ago after the statement we read from ray Sullivan that they had nothing to do about it about these allegations -- first learned about them and Politico.

Now they are saying this on the record.

We are not behind this.

And Romney campaign backers have strong connections with the National Restaurant Association.

That's on the -- -- mean where are we heading here Charles metastasis.

Think cancer has spread.

The one guy that we thought was sort of left out of all -- now is involving -- at least accused.

Let the blind accusations are gonna drag all of them down again that's an accusation made as I hear it.

Without a it's a suggestion museum and accusations the suggestion when no evidence whatsoever.

I'm sure every campaign has a connection somehow it every every one else.

You know six degrees of separation two degrees of separation.

This is kind of wild and very self destructive I mean this is here they're running against the president when 9% unemployment huge debt.

-- stagnant economy extreme unhappiness in the country the wrong track numbers are up to near 80%.

And they're having these huge.

Intramural food fight with with -- guns actually.

Accusing each other of -- campaign tactics completely off any message let alone a positive one.

These and even a negative anti Obama message this is really very self destructive and if they were grown up in the room they would order everybody to stop there.

-- okay many -- people typing in.

Like Ohio Carlos can we please move onto another topic the yes we ship it.

Let's talk with -- super committee and what happened this week tomorrow up on Capitol Hill with.

The -- states -- if you will of of both the Simpson Bowles and -- she.

-- -- Commissions kept talking really in dire terms if they don't get their act together that a lot of negatives things can happen.

We've had so many last best hopes for a real grand bargain that will actually solve the deficit problem and this is the last one.

The latest one and I think it might be one of the last -- before the election.

There is very little hope in Washington that the deficit that the super committee is gonna come up with.

Real deficit reduction something maybe more than the one point two trillion dollars that is its bare minimum.

The forests across the board cuts known -- sequestration what happened they come up with 800.

Billion they'll have to do the other four and sequestration but Bowles Simpson who laid out a plan for that so -- the managing Rivlin.

Everybody knows.

How you can get to the Big Three or four trillion dollars -- deficit reduction that means change structural changes and entitlements.

It means raising some revenues may -- through tax reform and it means a lot of spending cuts.

But.

Politics prevented Republicans from -- agree.

To agreeing to any tax increases.

And Democrats surprisingly actually stepped up with a surprising amount of entitlement cuts but I think they're stuck and I think poor old Bowles and Simpson are gonna go away disappointed.

Think that's done.

And I think they will come up with something.

Republicans -- Republicans are against.

Or against tax increases they're not necessarily good necessarily against getting rid of loopholes and special tax breaks and so one.

If they get that is done.

Well in the context of tax reform they're willing to do that and I didn't at least some of -- that are.

On the subcommittee are the super committee and I think they will even accept a net tax increase.

Boom -- which would show if you've got him if you got rid of a lot of them.

If they can also get a reduction in income tax rates in other words if you have.

If you -- tax reform rather than just -- a budget cuts and and it and try to get some tax increases through.

You're not gonna get the one point two trillion it's gonna be much smaller and is as you said mark.

-- that would -- and that would be.

And the money would be divvied up in -- sequester but.

Do tax reform and they are talking about at least some of the Republicans are they're talking about it then you could do something bigger and you could do something that would.

Have the kind of revenue increase that Republicans I think most of what except.

Yeah I mean it's a matter of semantics revenue increases vs tax rate increases are two different things and they are often get confused about.

Joseph Carter in Pennsylvania says Charles said it weeks ago the super committee was designed to fail.

Don't you think though Charles that there is a sense up on Capitol Hill that they have to get it done otherwise distract -- and cut to defense.

Gets essentially.

Apply.

It was constructed in no way that you think for both Republicans and Democrats.

Republicans on defense -- Democrats on this these in these domestic cuts.

That event of the consequences.

Of -- not solving and are so drastic that they will.

But -- -- I wouldn't underestimate the incompetence.

And the lack of vision that congress in the end and let's remember this is divided government when the president himself.

Having had one year since the delivery of the debt reduction commission report in December of 2010.

Two to propose to back to support a grand bargain and he did to zero on that.

And I think he's calculated.

Now the only way he can win reelection.

These two run against as he has mainland what are we here today to 27 speech -- the jobs bill.

He's running as a do nothing congress is Harry Truman all over again I'm not sure he thinks it's in his interest.

To have a resolution in the super committee and as long as he thinks that and I think he does.

You're not gonna get a resolution I'm not sure that this.

He's an independent autonomous.

Runaway jury this two committee I think the Democrats who listen and -- the leadership and the Republicans as well and if you couldn't have a deal.

In August over the debt ceiling I -- you can have a deal and now it will be resolved in November of next year.

They country decide you know Republicans.

Cut or -- democratic.

Cut will be one way or the other.

The other thing is -- that.

You know this whatever happens even with if these triggers going to place.

It does not bind future congresses from on -- yes.

That that is the dirty little secret of this it's kind of like saying I'm gonna go on a diet I'm gonna buy a lot for my refrigerator but I know where I Hideki.

I mean it's kind of crazy.

You know at least one of rating agency and I think it might be Moody's has to have said if you don't write that down what -- If you don't if if if if -- if they have to go to a sequestration we're gonna downgrade the US credit rating because we don't believe in the sequestration because.

There's no such thing as a trigger that can't be on trigger and I think already Kyl and McCain and other people in the -- -- we're gonna let all these defense cuts to happen if they if they.

Haven't so I think the minutes.

That does the Superman -- to the super committee can't come to one point two trillion dollars you're gonna see these stories.

-- not -- all you know Moody's downgrades US you know credit rating.

And that.

It's just going to be another.

Example of US dysfunction how we just cannot get our animals to the election in the world's -- over the election -- anyway Charles.

Touched on one of the key problems and impediments.

And that's President Obama.

I mean that's I said before I think the best way they can get an agreement is to tax reform and what you get rid of a lot of loopholes which would lower the rates.

Well and include lowering the rates on the wealthy.

And he had his own currency debt commission come out -- recommendations that he essentially gave the -- -- award.

Four months.

Guns to -- yeah -- -- yeah.

Here's the ball has -- tax if I mean there's an umbrella.

If I settle everything with -- pay raise -- they -- tax rates that's what they would -- But Obama -- have to accept if they if they made a deal the super committee.

It's a big tax reform deal.

Then Obama would have to accept and not a tax increase on the rich but -- tax reduction on the rich and all other taxpayers which would be extremely hard yes but it was still have to be progressive and I think the Democrats would accept tax reform that broaden the -- lowered rates along as it was still progressives and Obama Obama wants to work so I -- -- Obama -- that he would get -- Republican -- location for about a proposal he -- progressive vision of tax -- I'm totally for that but -- so I think -- right when you apply it.

As and he got an -- cancer is the reason he hasn't done.

Is he sees political advantage and not doing and -- it isn't enough to say I think some mistake and he didn't do it.

You've got to explain it and explain it I think it explains why we are -- -- -- long story out of the White House is that speaker Boehner walked away from the big -- the going story from speaker Boehner is that.

President Obama didn't want that feeling could never sealed the deal that he says President Obama asked for 400 billion dollars more in the tax increases will 400 billion dollars scuttled -- that a chance to do something historic and absolutely necessary.

I mean.

I think this whole thing is so tragic I think somebody needs to step up to the plate and just.

Everybody knows what it's gonna happen in 2013 any president is going to come out.

With -- is gonna have to come out with some kind of a deal -- -- perform major tax reform it's going to lower rates and broaden the base it probably will still be progressive in some way.

But let me you know it's not going to be -- I would meet President Obama would be giving up his entire strategy.

Which is to attack the rich.

And say that then they're gone for prices are -- I'll get carries one before the election he would be reelected what that lol I know racy.

And the is not this is going to -- and and and the Ways and Means Committee in in the house they want to do tax reform.

Dave Camp a Max Baucus do not want to give this to the super committee that's problem number two -- derived from legitimate right yeah.

-- -- Paula Charles even -- it takes two years Obama has been -- for three years.

He's -- he's talk about it.

He talks about entitlement reform he says I'm open I'll discuss.

This is important now one -- put.

A single structural change in any entitlement on the table in public.

I don't know exactly why I believe he would have taken are we -- -- anytime you need to say anything.

The one I just take the ball and run with it.

-- -- -- worry charts and and I am signs and say here's what we're gonna do XYZ eight I if you I happen to think although many Democrats disagree with me that the personal attacks or form as the secret sauce that makes deficit reduction deal possible because it's so exciting to conservatives number one -- you lower rates.

And it gives you the possibility of all this growth.

And for Democrat for progressives gives -- the the chance to get rid of all of these tax deductions.

It it's -- by the tax code I think it's of -- powerful idea.

That is shows that -- real reformer but it doesn't fit the bill of taxing the upper close -- twenty feet you know you could sell it as a way to make the wealthy pay their fair share.

And -- not -- This isn't usually everybody's rates would go lower but it will be our air this.

Such a good deal tax reform for liberals.

Why are they out there for -- and there's a reason the answer to your question why doesn't Obama come out and say you know what -- 1234 this season can't -- He's an ideologue he doesn't want to do that he wants to raise taxes he's re distributor I don't believe he's a socialist but he wants that we distribute the wealth he's when he started -- that with his health care plan.

And -- tax reform.

Good does not help his.

A dream of redistribution and a well mine is one of the things he wants to run this campaign.

-- he can't run on stewardship.

The fact that his opponent whoever he is as a Republican Republicans live.

To take Medicare.

Funds out of grannies bank account and use it.

To subsidized coal projects -- the campaign that's what it is from from top to tell anything that gets in the way meaning tax reform.

Look at least and -- different -- -- the do you need to.

I'd send -- with all due respect where Democrats are concerned revenue increases and tax raises are the same thing my point is that.

The word revenue increases for Republicans.

Is different than tax raises.

And that's where the differences the two parties see it differently in the semantics.

Or at least they talk about it differently and unite.

And a reform system -- the top -- -- 28 but most people are paying fifteen or whenever I'm just saying these as numbers.

You can have it be progressive everybody's rates are lower but the rich are still paying their quote fair share he's okay and look if you lower their rates are gonna pay more in taxes well it.

-- -- -- and that's it's a separate arguments but simplifying the tax code appeals to everyone I want to talk very quick.

Your last segment here about Green energy programs 20000 documents delivered to Capitol Hill on the -- -- excellent -- affair.

Nearly 12100.

Direct communications between the White House Department of Energy specifically on -- interest.

We're going through all of this stuff now has our people up on Capitol Hill.

This of course was the company that to 535.

Million dollar Department of Energy loan guarantee.

And went bankrupt.

There are other companies -- that now are coming under scrutiny by Capitol Hill and what about the screen energy program in the future of.

It's been a complete flop and it was the the most important thing and I think and the -- -- Obama thought for spurring the economy.

When so much of that money was put need a stimulus package back in February of 2009.

Enough -- seeing the end and remember what he promised -- vowed at least in 20085.

Million Green jobs five million.

Well we've had a few thousand and some of these jobs are in Finland and China are some places -- where these firms -- -- gotten.

Money from the federal government.

-- -- and that's what they had to do.

You know be Paul Ryan the Republican congressman says that Energy Department is the world's worst.

God developer of -- companies in in any way the world's worst.

Venture capital firm and they then and then that's true they've done a terrible job.

President Obama believed and pull people -- -- if you love -- all this money into Green technology and Green jobs that would spur the economy and further private investment would follow up.

Well it hasn't worked.

There's no indication yet -- that the administration's backing off in the least on Green energy programs and and as -- investigations continue.

There there -- There are companies that received the loans up until October 31.

-- I did that President Obama really believes that if you can.

You know provide seed capital to lead to the firms that he believes represents the technology of the future of the promise it takes a really long time.

To get these things going it's unclear if giving them these loans is gonna speed up that -- us or not we certainly -- invest in basic research there's no doubt about that and it's true that.

Countries all over the world are beating us in -- Green technology business whether it's solar or wind.

And or or -- car batteries.

And they do it with a lot of government support and I think that's why the president wanted to get in that game but.

When you choose winners and losers you're gonna back some losers.

-- -- October 1 from the new fiscal year started less government not October main difference this is wrong in so many levels number one -- -- state.

Sheer arrogance of thinking that these experts in the line so -- president who isn't exactly.

An expert in this technology or in business.

Are gonna choose which private companies and they technologies of the future nobody has any idea that if anybody did.

Everybody will would be a millionaire a billionaire on the market second there is a role for the government put to put their money in basic research.

Like the national institutes have fun stuff houses -- work.

That's not gonna help anybody you're not gonna make any money out of it you need the government.

It will give you the basic complete research and then others whole risk capital on an idea emerging out of how does a cell work the minute that the government is involved.

And what you call it technology transfer you're going out of the basic stuff.

Into the market it has to make all these.

Arbitrary decisions of which the market is a better judge and throws billions of -- of -- away.

The worst is of course the inherent corruption.

Because who gets the money in the end it ends up.

Those who know somebody who knows somebody in energy.

Those who gave money to a campaign and thus have entry into the door of the Energy Department.

I'm sure these -- imagery and -- final line of very ugly stuff.

Torn thousands can take -- little while but it's also what's it thirty billion dollars.

I'd be surprised if there are -- -- or two hiding in there that will come out.

Okay last round real quick.

Rest of this week what do you think dominates the news cycle.

So well for -- permanent -- up for a guy Greg moreover McCain.

I mean he needs to.

Shut up about the whole thing himself up and go back to his his regular speeches you know I am a big east.

That the Romney campaign would want to get involved in this I mean that.

Well they -- And entertainment OK -- I carry you carry again there is accusing the Romney campaign of having ties the national restaurants and -- OK I take that back up a bit about the Romney campaign they played this very well -- and I guess continue to play -- very well by saying nothing.

At what.

And will benefit from that but it's you know it just.

It's free speech -- issue.

How trivial our politics -- -- we're spending so much time on this and -- you know like I was guilty as the rest of us but.

-- -- -- Rockets and Romney's interest to have -- doing as well as possible it just doesn't make sense that he would want to do something that would hurt Herman Cain Herman and the best thing that happened to them.

He's a big kind of wet -- sitting on any -- from a barrier to preventing any of the other.

Candidates from from our rising as -- credible alternative to Romney.

It's a strange country Europe is imploding it's about to liquidate itself.

-- of the Greeks have pulled off the biggest active trickery since Trojan horse saying he has -- now -- element away for a referendum.

The markets are trashing everybody is scared to death.

And we are talking about.

Allegations in which no one knows anything he had -- affecting candidates who are not as well was likely not to actually went -- Obama.

Got to be really careful -- you're likely actually not to win the nomination likely it is -- impossible.

This is -- a strange place but of course our job is there.

Good and the -- into interpreted and meanwhile there are other big stories at this Solyndra deal a Green energy deal that operation fast and furious.

What's happening in the administration and we're gonna cover it all it's just.

Fortunately or unfortunately depending on your point of view.

This is dominating as some -- there was even a story today out of Israel that.

They tell me -- was looking for cam and its support for an attack on Iran.

Talk about big stories who knows if it's gonna happen quickly about that I've been here more and more about that about.

Israel truly preparing and not just.

Fake in this but truly prepared for some action against Iran and the rumored that this.

This swap for.

-- -- lead to and the thousand Palestinians was really a preclude to clear the decks for some kind of action.

To me have always thought it in the end the Israelis will act alone if they have do.

Because they cannot live under the cloud.

Governor -- and nuclear weapon that is designed.

To kill six million Jews it's already happened.

Once in Israel in some sense is meant.

To be the antithesis to Jewish helplessness so I think in the end they will the only question is the timing and the timing would always have been.

At the point with the Israelis -- think the Iran is Iran a point of no return they are the point.

Near to break out and they either have to strike now or never and it depends entirely on Israeli intelligence which is rather good I think.

And that I think he's the only factor in the end on -- -- to question and yes you know.

It's always been -- question way.

It's quite something we will follow that story as well what I meant about the unfortunately is that.

We don't really want -- -- that stuff but as the developments happen will.

We'll cover.

In the campaign and elsewhere but there are other big issues that we'll stay on top thank you very much for watching special report on line.

Join us every weeknight of course 6 PM eastern for special report.

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